The Gluttonous, Trusted by Whom, Will Be Burdened by Trust

The next day, During lunch break, Yeyue took Horikita Suzune to the student cafeteria to buy a Deluxe Set Meal. In front of Horikita was a homemade bento, but it did not look inferior to the school's deluxe meal at all. "I transferred the money. Check it." After operating his phone, Yeyue looked at the sandwich before Horikita and praised, "Suzune's cooking looks really good."

"As long as you follow the recipe, anyone can do it. Besides, I have several years of practical experience, so this much is only natural."

After confirming that Ten Thousand Points had arrived, Horikita Suzune responded blandly and began eating her lunch.

After all, this loss had been caused by Ayanokoji acting on his own initiative, so she had no intention of being overly polite with Yeyue.

Holding the Pork Chop Sandwich in her hand, Horikita said evenly, "Still, this really was beyond my expectations. Mizuno Yasuo actually agreed to refund the money. You two must be quite close."

"No, I've only met him a few times."

"Hm?"

Horikita Suzune's small hand paused in midair as she looked at Yeyue in confusion.

Even if she lacked empathy, she could still guess that ordinary people would never easily give up benefits that had already fallen into their hands.

"Say, Suzune." Understanding her confusion, Yeyue said teasingly, "What do you think is the most powerful weapon for getting promoted to A Class in this school?"

Putting down the untouched sandwich, Horikita Suzune frowned and thought seriously for a moment before saying, "It's difficult to judge right now. We still don't know what standards this school uses to evaluate students. The most powerful weapon is probably individual academic ability."

"How naive." Yeyue's expression remained calm, as though he were stating something utterly ordinary. "It's capital. Whether in this school or in society, capital is the most powerful weapon! Of course, in certain places, it is power."

"Hm?" Horikita Suzune asked in confusion, "My brother... Horikita Senpai has already prohibited using money to exchange for points, hasn't he? Did you secretly make another deal with Mizuno Yasuo?"

After a slight pause, Horikita Suzune brushed back the beautiful hair by her ear. "If that's the case, you'd better turn yourself in to the Student Council. After all, it will affect D Class's evaluation. I won't turn a blind eye to it."

"It really is delicious." As though nothing had happened, Yeyue picked up a piece of sandwich from in front of Horikita and began eating it before smiling. "Capital doesn't only mean money. For smart people, I don't need to make any promises or deals at all."

"What do you mean?"

Horikita frowned, unable to understand.

For students who had never entered society, this really was difficult to comprehend.

Ignoring her question, Yeyue instead sighed, "Still, I really did not expect you to tell the whole class about the exam papers on the very next day. You certainly act swiftly."

"Of course." Horikita Suzune replied blandly, "That gives them more time to study. I merely chose the most beneficial method."

"Who knows."

Yeyue replied casually as he ate the sandwich in his hand.

He disapproved of Horikita Suzune's approach. The correct method would have been to give the exam papers to Sudo and others the day before the test.

Only when she saw Yeyue nearly finish an entire sandwich did Horikita Suzune say evenly, "One sandwich costs five hundred yen."

"That's expensive..." Looking at the sandwich, Yeyue's hand paused as he fell speechless. "Are you extorting me? Even a Deluxe Set Meal only costs five hundred yen."

"My cooking is worth that price. Are you trying to deny it?"

"Indeed."

Whether in taste or nutrition, Horikita's cooking truly was no worse than the school's. Yeyue nodded and said:

"Then how about this? I'll leave my three meals a day to you from now on. How about Thirty Thousand Private Points per month?"

"Are you serious?"

"Of course."

"Tenyo." Gazing at the man before her, Horikita Suzune said coolly, "We still don't know whether there are other ways to increase Class Points and Private Points. If you squander them like this, you'll regret it sooner or later."

"Doesn't matter."

Yeyue shrugged.

It was extremely difficult to gain control over someone like Horikita, but as long as he handled it properly, this money could greatly increase Horikita's favorability toward him. He was not kind enough to simply give Horikita money for nothing.

Every gift fate bestowed had long since had its price secretly marked.

"Since you say so, then I have no reason to refuse."

Horikita Suzune picked up her sandwich and began eating lunch. Since the other party insisted, she had no intention of continuing to persuade him.

Her living expenses alone only required about Fifteen Thousand Private Points. This school had plenty of free ingredients to collect, and now she merely had to prepare Yeyue's share as well.

As long as she managed it properly.

Horikita calculated silently. She could completely save on her own living expenses, and while ensuring both taste and nutrition, she could still earn around Ten Thousand Private Points for free.

There was no reason to refuse!

Yeyue quickly handed the Spare Room Card to Horikita. Starting tomorrow, every morning and evening, Horikita would come to his room to prepare food for the two of them.

After School, Yeyue returned to the dormitory and ate a simple dinner before beginning his boxing practice. Exercising every day was a necessary routine.

Just as he finished today's training, the Doorbell Ring sounded. Yeyue glanced at the time on his phone; it was about time.

With that thought, Yeyue casually put on a tank top, draped a towel over himself, and opened the dormitory door. Kushida Kikyo stood outside with a warm, friendly smile on her face.

"L-Little Kikyo?" Yeyue stammered, quickly shutting the door again. "Just wait a moment."

Kushida Kikyo's smile did not change. She had expected this reaction, and before long, Yeyue reopened the dorm room door in his school uniform.

"Little Kikyo, what brings you here so suddenly?"

"Weren't you going to ask the senior student for a refund, Yeyue? I was a little worried."

Kushida clasped her small hands against her chest, her face full of concern. "Yeyue, can we go inside and talk?"

"N-No... today's kind of..."

"Alright, alright..."

Kushida gently nudged Yeyue aside, stepped into his room, and casually shut the dorm door behind her.

Once inside, she saw that the bedding had been folded haphazardly, while the trash had been stuffed carelessly into the bin without being properly sorted.

Kushida glanced around for a moment, then puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction. "Yeyue, you really need to keep your room clean."

"Well..." Yeyue said awkwardly. "I've never done this sort of thing at home, so I don't really know where to start."

"I see..."

Kushida tilted her head slightly, pinching her chin as she surveyed the room. Suddenly, she clapped her hands. "Got it. Yeyue, go wait outside for a bit!"

"Mm? What do you mean?"

"Alright, you'll find out soon enough."

Kushida pushed Yeyue out of the room again, leaving the door slightly ajar as she gave him a playful wink. "No peeking."

Once Kushida shut the dorm door—

Yeyue was left speechless.

It wasn't like she was going into the bathroom. Why say something so suggestive?

He stood outside his own room for about half an hour before the door opened again, and Kushida eagerly grabbed his hand.

As he stepped inside, Kushida lowered her head and secretly watched Yeyue beside her, looking a little nervous. "Well? What do you think?"

"So amazing. Little Kikyo, you're really good at housework."

Yeyue praised her sincerely.

The bedding that had once been tossed around was now folded neatly, the trash had been sorted properly, and the entire room was spotless.

"No, this is only normal."

Kushida walked behind him and patted his shoulder. "Alright, sit down. I made black tea too."

"Sorry, I should've been the one doing this."

"No, I'm the one who should apologize. I used your things without permission."

Kushida jogged into the kitchen and soon returned with two cups of black tea. She handed one to Yeyue, then sat down across from him.

"It's good."

"I'm so glad you like it, Yeyue."

After taking a simple sip, Yeyue gave his verdict, and Kushida patted her chest as if relieved.

In truth, Kushida's skill at making black tea was only slightly better than average.

Or rather, Kushida was a bishojo whose overall abilities were above average.

She could do everything, and she was good at everything, yet there was nothing she truly excelled at.

Knowing full well why Kushida had come to see him, Yeyue simply continued chatting with her calmly. He was not the one who needed to be anxious.

"I didn't expect Yeyue to like boxing. It's a little surprising."

After chatting for over ten minutes, Kushida lightly poked the punching bag in the middle of the living room, looking curious.

Yeyue explained casually, "I wouldn't say I like it. I was just forced by my family to learn all kinds of self-defense arts from a young age, so it became a habit. Besides, a punching bag is also good for relieving stress."

"Is that so?"

This was not important to her. Kushida sat back down across from Yeyue and leaned over the table.

Her assets, far surpassing those of girls her age, drew Yeyue's gaze. Kushida seemed to recall something.

"By the way, Yeyue, was the third-year student willing to give you a refund?"

"Yeah, it went smoothly. I already returned the points to Suzune too!"

"I see... That's really great."

Kushida replied with a smile, then propped herself up and leaned closer to Yeyue. "But doesn't Yeyue really dislike Horikita's personality? Why were you still willing to help her come up with a plan?"

Less than a fist's distance separated them. Kushida was so close that he could smell her pleasant fragrance.

An ordinary sixteen-year-old high school student would definitely be too nervous to lie.

Leaning his body back, Yeyue's face turned red. "It's not that I dislike her. I just wanted to tease Suzune a little whenever I saw her acting so cold."

Looking at Kushida, who had lowered her head so that he could not see her expression, Yeyue added with feeling, "But after getting to know her, I realized that Suzune is unexpectedly a very gentle girl. That's why I wanted to help her."

"Is... that so..."

Kushida smiled. Aside from the slightly subdued tone of her voice, there was no change in her expression.

As expected of someone who had gotten through three years of Middle School by relying on acting, Yeyue still asked in confusion, "Little Kikyo looks a little unhappy. Did something happen?"

"No, I was just thinking how nice it would be if I could become friends with Horikita someday."

Kushida waved her hands repeatedly, then slowly lowered her head and said somewhat dejectedly:

"If... I mean, if Horikita were to go after me."

Halfway through, Kushida's small hand grasped Yeyue's palm. Looking somewhat worried, she asked, "Who would Yeyue choose to help?"

"How could Suzune go after..."

Seeing the serious look in Kushida's eyes, Yeyue tightened his grip around her hand as well and said solemnly, "I don't know what happened between you and Suzune before, but I'll definitely stand by Little Kikyo's side."

Keeping one hand in Yeyue's grasp, Kushida withdrew her other small hand and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. "I'm really happy to hear you say that, Yeyue!"

"No..." Yeyue blushed, saying somewhat bashfully, "But do Little Kikyo and Suzune have some kind of conflict?"

"No, it's just that I always feel like someone will steal Yeyue away from me. Besides, I want to become friends with everyone in the school!"

A blush spread across Kushida's face, leaving her looking shy. The two continued chatting for a while before Kushida finally said goodbye and left.

"Yeyue, when I come next time, make sure you've cleaned up!"

"I'll do my best!"

Watching Kushida enter the elevator, Yeyue quietly followed her in.

Though it did not show on the surface, Yeyue knew that his answer could not possibly have satisfied Kushida.

After all, his relationship with Horikita had been growing closer and closer.

The girls' dormitories were upstairs, yet the numbers on the elevator display were steadily decreasing.

Yeyue quickly headed down the stairs as well.